Lexington Park, MD — On May 4, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Corcoran responded to Lexwood Drive in Lexington Park at the St. Mary’s County Housing Authority, after a man came inside and told employees that he had been assaulted.

Corcoran made contact with the victim, who was observed to be bleeding with a cut on his lip and blood on his hooded sweatshirt.

The victim advised, “That he came to St. Mary’s County from North Carolina two months ago and lives with his daughter. He was in the process of getting his place with the assistance of adult daycare, and when he came home May 4, there was a confrontation with his daughter’s boyfriend,” according to charging documents.

The victim advised the boyfriend, identified as Joseph D. Young, 27, of Lexington Park, lived in the apartment. The victim advised that he was punched in the mouth, pushed up against a closet, and told he had to get out immediately. 

The victim then pulled out his cellular phone and stated that he was going to call the police. Young then grabbed the phone from him. The victim then fled the residence to the Housing Authority Office, which is located in the same building. 

Corcoran went to the apartment, and a male answered the door claiming to be a babysitter and stating he knew nothing about the alleged incident. The male initially refused to give Corcoran his name but eventually stated that he was Joseph Clay, 18, of no fixed address. 

The victim was brought back to the apartment and identified Young as the person who punched him in the face and took his phone. Young was handcuffed, and he continued to refuse to provide Corcoran with any information on who he was as he denied punching the victim. 

Young was arrested and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, where he was charged with second-degree assault , theft less than $1,000, and obstructing and hindering. 

Young has a scheduled hearing set for July 21 in District Court. Young faces a maximum jail sentence of 11 years and six months and/or a maximum fine of $3,000. 

Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com